It’s the busiest time of the year for air travel, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, as people rush to visit family and friends for the holidays. Airport trips can give anyone anxiety, but they can be especially-nerve wracking for plus-size travelers.
“Airlines are reducing seat width at the same time that individuals worldwide are getting larger,” said a 2019 study on airplane seat size. “Flights are increasingly crowded, with load factor at a record high. This paper explores the effects of seat width on passenger accommodation under several scenarios involving load factor, demographics, and passenger seating allocation strategies.”
Recently, a long-standing policy from Southwest Airlines has been getting praise on TikTok for alleviating anxiety among travelers who might not fit in airplane passenger seats said a Business Insider report.
“When it comes to air travel, one common concern for individuals who are overweight or obese is whether they will be able to comfortably fit in an airline seat. The truth is, airlines do not have specific weight limits for passengers,” according to a Laura Clery blog post. It said the width of an economy class seat typically ranges from 17 to 19 inches and a seat pitch (the distance between one point on a seat to the same point on the seat in front or behind it) ranges from 28 to 34 inches in economy class.
Southwest planes have seat widths that range from 15.5 to 17.8 inches, according to its website. Seat pitches are 31 to 32 inches. Most seats have armrests that move.
Per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, men over age 20 on average weigh 199.8 pounds and have a waist circumference of 40.5 inches. Women over age 20 weigh 170.8 pounds on average and have a waist circumference of 38.7 inches.
Travelers can determine whether they need more seats based on armrests. Southwest said that anyone who is not able to lower both armrests, or encroaches on any part of the seat next to them can request more seats.
“Customers who encroach upon any part of the neighboring seat(s) may proactively purchase the needed number of seats prior to travel to ensure the additional seat(s) is available,” according to Southwest. It said customers may contact the airline for a refund for the cost of additional seating.
For those who don’t purchase an additional seat in advance, Southwest allows passengers to discuss their seating needs with customer service agents stationed at the departure gate. However, the airline recommends reserving seats ahead of time.
“If it’s determined that a second (or third) seat is needed, you’ll be accommodated with a complimentary additional seat,” said the airline. It also said it has had a “long-standing policy for more than 30 years designed to meet the seating needs of Customers who require more than one seat and protect the comfort and safety of everyone onboard.”
Southwest also offers seatbelt extensions for those who need them.
Those interested in booking an extra seat for themselves on Southwest can follow the online booking instructions here. There are also details about how to check in and get refunds.
“If you have an Extra Seat Boarding document, you can choose to preboard to select seats that best meet your needs,” said Southwest.
Business Insider reported on a TikTok video with 900,000 views that shows a customer asking to use the “customer-of-size” policy and then being handed an extra ticket. The poster explained that she needed to use the policy departing so she could be able to use it flying back, but the video appeared to show that she was easily accommodated.
“I’ve done this a dozen times and never had an issue or been denied. They will print you a new ticket + a second ticket to put down on your free seat,” they said.